Theme of the Week: Uniqueness of Christmas
Bible Verse: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:13-23
Every so often the world is jolted by the beauty of what we despise. We saw it happen as the world paid its respects to Mother Teresa. People from all walks of life, from every economic bracket, from various religious backgrounds and political persuasions, came together to praise humility, submission, poverty, unbendable convictions and spiritual fervor.
Yuck! Who in their right mind seeks to be poor? How many line up to be overlooked? Who dares stand against the world and declare what is politically correct as morally damnable? Surely this lady had gone overboard with her love for God and her readiness to yield up her personal rights. These counter-culture characteristics make us cringe. We recoil at the thought of being in her place. She is a real conundrum.
And yet … and yet we are strangely drawn to what we see.
Somehow, a life like Mother Teresa’s helps pull back the curtains on the window of life, allowing us to see the sunshine of reality. And deep inside our hearts, we long to come out of the shadows into that light.
At this time of year, much of the world remembers another event that yanked the curtains back and let the light shine. The events surrounding the birth of Jesus were everything we would today despise: poverty, homelessness, rejection, rumors, submission to God, humility, spiritual passion and unbending conviction. But talk about a burst of light!
No life in history so pierced our perceptions, drew our desires or challenged us to change. No one ever took so little and gave so much. His love conquered hate. His touch gave health. His submission broke power. His acceptance elevated the lowly. His forgiveness freed the prisoners. In life, He conquered death. In death He conquered hell. By His birth, He brought heaven to earth; through His death and resurrection, He offers to take those of earth to heaven.
As we look at this amazing life, we are faced with the ultimate conundrum. We want what we see, but we hate the thought of getting it. The love our heart longs to share, the joy we want to experience and the peace we covet are wrapped up in the very one we reject.
Every so often the world is jolted by the beauty of what we despise. Christmas is one of those times.
Dave Petrescue in Pastor Dave’s Reflections. ©Brenda Petrescue, 2008. davepetrescue.com Used By Permission.
Copyright © 2021 Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. All rights reserved.
About
